Jonathon C. Neal

A native of Chicago, IL, Jonathon began his study of music at the age of 9. In high school he earned All-State Honors for the state of Illinois his senior year in 2008. After high school graduation, Jonathon decided to pursue music education at Howard University. Before finishing his degree at Howard, Jonathon toured the eastern hemisphere with a cruise ship ensemble aboard Azamara Cruises.

When he returned to the United States, Jonathon joined the American Federation of Musicians and began a freelance career in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. In 2016, Jonathon served as the principal trumpet in the pit band for a Signature Theatre Production titled, “Jelly’s Last Jam” by George C. Wolfe. Shortly after, Jonathon reenrolled at Howard University to finish his degree.

In 2018, Jonathon earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Howard University and that summer he moved to Nashville, TN to attend graduate school at Tennessee State University. Jonathon earned his Master of Education degree in Curriculum & Instruction on April 30th, 2021.

Outside of education Jonathon serves as the music director for Brassville, a local Nashville band that has performed in many of Nashville’s historical venues such as, ACME Feed & Seed, 3rd and Lindsley, and Exit/In.
Jonathon’s teachers include Prof. Fred Irby, III at Howard University and Dr. Jason Dovel at the University of Kentucky. Currently, Jonathon is the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Jazz Ensembles at Grambling State University. Under his leadership with the jazz ensemble his groups have earned two trips to the HBCU Jazz Residency hosted by the Virginia Arts Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center. The first year his ensemble received many individual awards and was the runner-up ensemble during the festival.